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The Brussels Post, 1979-06-13, Page 1FIRE DESTROYS HOUSE, CLAIMS LIFE—This house owned by John Hamilton of Bluevale was destroyed by fire early Thursday morning. The fire also claimed the life of his wife Margaret. (Brussels Post photo) Bluevale woman dies in fire "Lots of excuses" An early morning fire on Thursday claimed the life of a Bluevale woman- Margaret Hamilton and destroyed a one- storey pre-fabricated house. Mrs. Hamilton's husband John (Jack) was away at the time of the fire. An alarm was put in at 3:05 a.m. to the Wingham Fire Department. Fire Chief Dave Crothers said neighbours were unable to get into the house because of the fire and by the time the fire department got there, the roof was non-existent, and the windows were blown out of the house. The house was a complete loss as was a 1976 Ford that was engulfed in flames when the fire department got there. The depart- ment managed to get a new car out of the way. That car was slightly heat damaged. Estim.ated damage to the house was $39,000 and to the contents was $6,000. The house was partially covered by insurance. The coroner and investigators from Ontario Hydro, the fire marshall's office and the Wingham O.P.P. were called to the scene. No cause for the fire has yet been determined and it is still under investigation. ESTABLISHED 1872 BRUSSELS ONTARIO Brussels Post 108th Year Issue No. 24 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 1979 Lack of involvement troubles BBA Lack of involvement among Brussels businessmen and community people was the main concern of the Brussels Busines Association (BBA) when the regular meeting was held Wednesday night. Nine members attended. One of the main discussions centered BY RHEA HAMILTON For interesting meetings the Huron Federation of Agriculture may have other groups beat out. Members learned Thursday night in Clinton that they already have many of the qualities that make interesting meetings better. Guest speaker Mark Waldren, of the University of Guelph spoke on how to make meetings more effective, informative and interesting. HFA President Merle Gunby and secretary- Treasurer Carol Finch cond"cted the business and Mr. Waldren later referred back to a lot of what happened to illustrate points he made. Breaking into groups, members were asked to make lists their key problems in attending and running meetings. The problems later summarized included discouraging irrelevant discussion ; getting better attendance out to meetings and getting eornmittments necessary to conduct interesting Meetings: around the Bluegrass Jamboree at which only six businessmen showed up to help. The BBA lost money on Carnival Days and some comments were made about not many members showing up to help and the fact that everyone has an opinion afterwards of what should have been done. The BBA did manage to raise about $125. at its Trash and Treasure sale. When some people are asked to help out at events such as the Bluegrass Jamboree they have all kinds of excuses, so how can the people of Brussels be mad if the BBA lost money when they didn't show up to help, or support it , someone asked. A question was asked as to whether the BBA was a fund-raising committee since it had been attempting to raise money for street signs in the village through Carnival Days. One idea suggested for raising money for the signs was to get suggestions from the people of Brussels. It was pointed out that even a small place like Belgrave has street signs. Suggestions were made on what should be done to get more business people out to meetings. Another example given of lack of partici- pation in helping the BBA, concerned a questionnaire that was put in the paper asking people about store hours in Brussels. Only three people answered it. Also discussed was asking the village council to make some places clean up such as the Ball Auctions building which is partially torn down, and the Master Plastics building on the main street as well as some of the yards in town. Herb Stretton talked to members about the provincial planning act which is being revised. The government has asked local municipal councils, private citizens and any organizations to send in recommendations they feel would be of help in the new planning act. The BBA did send a letter to Murray Gaunt MPP a while ago with their views on the subject. It has been suggested that more authority could be invested in local municipal bodies because they're the people that understand the conditions in their own area. Mr. Stretton suggested to. BBA members that they could approach the Brussels council and work hand in hand with them to' get this local authority. President Den Webster received a.,letter from the Federal Business Development Bank (031)B) on the operations of a small business. They have films and lectures on these operations and on getting help for small businesses in difficulty. The BBA is going to try and have representatives from the FBDB at the next meeting. It was suggested that the next meeting be a breakfast meeting at 7:30 on July 4 at the Brussels Inn and each person is to bring someone else. The topic is to be, "What do you want out of your Business Assocation?" Despite talk no change in field trip policy - A recommendation not to change 1.%,Pron County board of education policy on school field trips wa disappointment to several trustees Monday afternoon. The field trip policy was sent to the board's education committee in May to see if changes were needed to make the policy more comprehensive. The committee told the board Monday it felt the policy could not be improved and recommended nothing be changed. "I'm a little disappointed in this two line recommendation," Zurich trustee Herb Turkheim told the board. "I felt a detailed study of the policy was needed." Goderich trustee Dorothy Wallace, a member of the education committee, said the committee felt the board "can't do any better on its p olicy". She said all overnight trips come to the board for approval and the board has every opportunity to have any questions answered and to refuse permis- sion for the trip. Board Chairman John Elliott said part of the concern over field trips was for students going to the province of Quebec. He said in Ontario lawsuits resulting from mishaps on field trips can range in size according to the Magnitude of the Mishap but in Quebec dollar figures are attached to accidents according to how officials feel neglect was eYident. Elliott said there was some concern about problems that could develop over field trips into Quebec. A sense of humour key to meetings, F of A hears Most important, Mr. Waldren pointed out, is to keep a sense of humour. Relax and enjoy the meeting and make the best of it he said. Accompanying Mr. Waldren was a collegue from Dublin, Ireland, Father Liani Carey. Father Carey is director of the department of adult extension service at St, Patrick's College which is part of the National University of Ireland. The fieldman's report indicated that membership in Huron County is falling, Fieldman Bill Crawford reported to members that in general most of the farmers he talks to are satisfied with OFA but are unaware of their own provincial directors in the area and are unable to express their concerns, Compared to the provincial membership which is down one percent, Huron is down two percent. Norman Alexander reported that there is a wave of concern from a number of farmers about disposal and spreading of animal waste, Mr. Alexander wanted to know if the federation is looking into this matter. The ministry of the enviroment at present keeps check of operations by aerial sury ei lance but are slow to act on matters, he said, "There is a growing trend for people downstream to speak out" said Mr. Alexander. It was suggested by Tony McQuail that the matter be brought before farmers by an article in Rural V oice on the problem. The matter was left to the F of A's soil and erosion committee to check into further. The president of Huron F of A has been helping Wingham high school students with a planning project. Mr. Gunby was asked to judge plans drawn up by students participating in a two week project under the direction of Wendy Fisher, of the Huron County planning department. Tony McQtrail reported on a phone call from someone interested in a followup of the brief Huron farmers presented to the Porter commission on the proposed Hydro corridor. "Our sub. (Continued on Page 16)